Introduction to SQL - Microsoft Business Intelligence Tools for Excel Analysts - page 184

Like operator
The Like operator is a versatile SQL function that allows you to perform sophisticated string pattern
searching in your query. Here's a basic Like operator:

Select AccountType
From dbo.DimAccount
Where AccountType Like 'Balances'

This query returns only records where the AccountType value is exactly equal to Balances . So far
this does not seem like anything special; you can achieve the same results using an = (equal) operator.
However, the power of the Like operator stems from the use of wildcard characters. SQL Server
includes four wildcard characters.

See Table 9-1 for how to use wildcards.

Table 9-1: Examples of Wildcard Characters

Wildcard
Character(s)

What It Does Used with Like Result

Like 'Ba%'

Indicates any string Returns all rows where

AccountType starts with Ba
Returns all rows where
AccountType includes the
letter a

%

Like '%a%'

Indicates any single
character

Returns all rows where
AccountType is composed of
8 letters that end with
alances

_ Like '_alances'

Like '[a-k]
alances'

Indicates any single char-
acter within a specified
range

Returns all rows where
AccountType starts with a
letter between a and k and
ends with alances
Returns all rows where
AccountType starts with the
letter a , b , or c and ends with
alances

[ ]

Like '[abc]
alances'

Indicates any single char-
acter not within a speci-
fied range

Like '[^c-k]
alances'

Returns all rows where
AccountType does not start a
letter between c and k and
ends with alances
Returns all rows where
AccountType does not start
with the letter c , d , or f and
ends with alances

[^]

Like '[^cdf]
alances'